Tall Thin Girls

Throughout the narrative, tall thin girls symbolize power. Though Ofunne thinks she knows herself, and who she wants to be, she becomes easily swept up by Ella, Audrey, and Queen's attentions. She thinks that donning the tall thin girl identity will help her survive university, and grant her freedom and agency. Though she does rise to social prominence within the university community, her influence and power others proves flimsy, unfulfilling, and destructive.

Clothing

The author uses repeated references to clothing to symbolize identity. When Ofunne first arrives at university, she wears the baggy, secondhand clothing her parents gave her. These outfits illustrate her determination to cling to her former self, and satisfy her parents' expectations. Then, when Ofunne becomes a tall thin girl, she begins dressing more scantly. She, Ella, Audrey, and Queen are also depicted in matching dresses. In these scenes, Ofunne dons...